Posts by wjfyfe

  • Not Going To Riding For A While

    I recall that early on Polaris did do a number of instructional videos, including driving tips? Plus, if I may make a further suggestion, you could try going to YouTube and doing a search of, "How to drive the Polaris SlingShot", there appears to be lots of info there.


    Otherwise, would it not be the owner's/driver's responsibility to learn how to drive their SlingShot, or at least have a rudimentary understanding of how the SlingShot handles, before taking it out on the road, particularly in potentially hazardous situations? I honestly cannot see how somebody could blame Polaris if if this somebody failed to accept this responsibility?



    Bill

  • Not Going To Riding For A While

    Think ice!!


    The one and only time the Grasshopper got away from me was on the interstate when I hit some substantial water running across the road and yes, the Grasshopper slipped out from under me quicker than a snakebite. Sitting beside the road afterwards, allowing my heart rate to come down a bit, my first thought was where is that semi that I just passed,(he had obviously slowed way down watching me sashaying down the highway!), Second was, "WOW, that was exciting!", and then I thanked God that I had been raised in Montana and have had experience in driving on snow and ice,for that was exactly what it felt like. I believe that it was that experience and instinct reactions that ultimately helped me the most in keeping the shiny side up, though it has been a curiosity ever since just how much the traction control did contribute?


    No, we will not quit driving the Grasshopper because of rain, but since that lil adventure, we have installed better all-season tires in hope it helps in the future, but mostly we will be thinking "ice" rather than just the road being wet.


    Bill


    Added note, while I was sitting along side the road "contemplating", a Corvette came along and fared far worse then me, so it can happen to anybody in any vehicle, not just the SlingShot!

  • Another transmission lube option

    I did a quickie search and did not get any hits on this so I may have found a couple of other options for gear oil
    for the transmission that I do not believe have been mentioned yet? In
    researching transmission oil for our Jetta I came across recommendations
    for AC Delco Synchromesh and Pennzoil Synchromesh.
    I recently purchased the Pennzoil where it has smoothed out our Jetta
    tranny quite noticeably and on the bottle it states to be a GL-3
    equivalent. It is also significantly cheaper than most of the other
    alternatives mentioned.



    Bill

  • Any cheap shock alternatives

    In all honesty even though the initial cost may be a bit pricey we would still prolly go for it, it is the recommended maintenance every two years at $200 + shipping per shock which is really the deal killer.


    Bill

  • Any cheap shock alternatives

    Yes, WingShot, there is an option to pay much much more for shocks if that is your choice, but, where is the choice of options where the SlingShot is concerned? We simply are not going to pay $1,000 plus for shocks and still have to pay $100 per year each to keep them maintained. Like I said previously, we have a set of stock shocks hanging on the wall if they ever become needed.........


    Bill

  • Any cheap shock alternatives

    On top of the initial cost, it is recommended that you overhaul the shocks every two years to the tune of approximately $200 each, at least that was the last figure quoted me..............


    We have a set of take-offs hanging on the wall obtained from a fellow owner for when replacement will be required.


    Bill

  • hood to spoiler fit

    Does this help?



    We leave about a 1/4" gap in ours just as a bit of a buffer for when we do happen to bottom out the spoiler at times..............


    Bill

  • Rain Gear

    Quote from wjfyfe

    We'll, it would depend on where you live on how practical it would be to only ride the SlingShot with only blue skies and sunshine, where here in the Pacific Northwest it would then be parked six months or more out of the year. The Grasshopper has only got away from me once in over two years, it took an unusual amount of water on the road, where the Corvette following me fared much worse than I did, so it just does not happen with the SlingShot. Be conscious of what can happen and ride accordingly.


    Bill

    I believe that a good example of this is how Justina and I grew up in Montana, where unless the snow was up and over the hood you still went to work and the kids went to school. Here in SW Oregon it is so funny when we get just a couple of inches of snow folks call in saying that they cannot make it to work and all the schools shut down. OK, I got to admit that we have yet to get the Grasshopper out into the snow, but I can see where it could be a lot of fun to put skis on the front and a studded tire on the rear! Yee Haaa!!!!!!!!!! :D


    Oh, and once we happen to be in Las Vegas when a good gully washer thunderstorm came through, gawd it was hilarious watching everybody slipping and sliding around! (We stayed parked that time! ;) )


    Bill

  • Rain Gear

    We'll, it would depend on where you live on how practical it would be to only ride the SlingShot with only blue skies and sunshine, where here in the Pacific Northwest it would then be parked six months or more out of the year. The Grasshopper has only got away from me once in over two years, it took an unusual amount of water on the road, where the Corvette following me fared much worse than I did, so it just does not happen with the SlingShot. Be conscious of what can happen and ride accordingly.


    Bill

  • Rain Gear

    Since basically half of our year it is raining, we have had a little bit of experience on wet roads. Since we get such copious rain I believe that most of the oil gets washed off the center where water pooling in the ruts has been more our nemesis. The Grasshopper finally decided one day to try to give me a heart attack by taking off on it's own on the Interstate, but it took several inches of water flowing across the highway to induce it. Since then, we have installed BF Goodrich G-Force™ COMP-2™ A/S tires and am still waiting to try them out to see if they help in future wet adventures.


    Now, back to the topic at hand, our current two piece rain suits keep us dry enough in up to moderate rain, but when it is really coming down, along with the splashing from surrounding vehicles, we find ourselves sitting in a puddle of water that accumulates in the center groove of our 2015 seats, with the water eventually working it's way trough our current rain gear. So now we are in search of comfortable pants which will still keep us dry even when sitting in water?



    Bill

  • Winter Maintaining Battery!!


    The main reason several folks remove that placard is for when they get pulled over for not wearing their helmet(s) the LEO cannot just point to it! :P Ours is staying on for it is a good reminder that the SlingShot is not a car! =O


    Bill

  • Heated Riding Gear

    Quote from EjFord

    I do have the Gerbing heated jacket liner and have used it for 5 -- 6 hours a day on a med heat setting. No problems....Center cig lighter between seats.....

    Justina is liking hers more and more as the temps are falling. Hers does not have a controller so we are thinking about adding one?


    Bill

  • Eugene Oregon dealer no longer selling The SlingShot?

    Thanks SlingLow, and yep, we sure are, This may kinda assure that our SlingShot may just remain only one of two SlingShots in a 150 mile plus radius?


    Other than Salem and Portland, another possibility may be Bend, but that would be only in the summertime due to the mountains in between?


    Bill